55 Comments
User's avatar
Damisola Sulaiman's avatar

My favourite thing about reading your work is how unapologetic you are about your opinions and how they are always rooted in real cultural references or analysis, and even where I disagree with you I am still critically engaging, that in itself is why criticism cannot die

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

this actually means everything. i have no interest in people agreeing with everything i say; i just want to be honest in my assessment of a thing and have that be enough. thank you for reading 🫶🏿

Expand full comment
Dia Lupo's avatar

mic drop ass intro 🤝 mic drop ass conclusion. 10/10

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

i'm just trying to be as cunty and discerning as you 👏🏿

Expand full comment
Rose Morris's avatar

“Everyone wants to conflate criticism with hate” just articulated all my irritation with culture so perfectly. Great piece!

Expand full comment
Amber Hagan's avatar

It seems like culture today is always FOR or AGAINST something. It is possible to appreciate something and see it's flaws at the same time. It's such a more intimate relationship to understanding something than blindly agreeing with all the hype.

Expand full comment
Starbie B.'s avatar

Yes to everything in this post! Sinners was the hardest I had to work to block out the outside noise. This was the fastest I’d ever seen people run to the internet to spoil, critique, and analyze a film. Opening any app felt risky because it was only a matter of time before you saw someone’s lukewarm, half baked, repetitive take full of spoilers bc they refused to take even a second to let the art sink in. I had to mute, unfollow, and block so many people lol!

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

this is SO real lol. yes everyone is entitled to their own opinions but if yours is stupid i'm also entitled to block you for it 🙂‍↕️

Expand full comment
Terra's avatar

As an aspiring critic I really needed this!! As always I enjoy your work immensely 😭

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

this is so sweet. know that i'm rooting for you 🫶🏿 go be great.

Expand full comment
hoai's avatar

i want to know where i can read your opinion on crazy rich asians please give it to me!!!

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

it's the way i'm drafting a retrospective for my podcast because there is SO much to say about that film and the lessons hollywood should have learned from ...you'll be the first to know when that episode is out🫶🏿

Expand full comment
David's avatar

Ma’am, you have a podcast????

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

in the works!! i'll be dropping the intro next Wednesday on here. shitting my pants, so excited etc etc

Expand full comment
J.C. ⋆ ☕︎˖'s avatar

I love how honest your writing is and how much passion there can be said for how you go about different subjects. I'm out of touch with a lot of things (mostly lack of interest at times) so I find myself learning so much more when I read your pieces. I didn't even know about the Crazy Rich Asian critique! Anyways, love your work Ayan!

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

my angel this means everything. delighted to be rotting your brain with pop culture hot takes and hate essays 🙂‍↕️💗 thank you as ever for reading x

Expand full comment
J.C. ⋆ ☕︎˖'s avatar

you can't rot what was already decaying, you can only age it with grace! Plus, I find you work tickles the mushy academic parts of my brain.

Expand full comment
naima's avatar

your writer’s voice is loud and clear and real. I really enjoyed reading this and will use this advice to better my critiques!

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

this means the world 🥹 thank you for reading x

Expand full comment
emily north's avatar

LETS GOOOO

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

this is my version of a buzzfeed listicle 🙂‍↕️

Expand full comment
Aneesa Muhammad's avatar

never a dull opening with you! (i am also hoping to see more black Muslim Daniel Kaluuya stans break out into the world of criticism.)

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

as someone who struggles with her introductions,i hope you know that this comment makes me feel like i can shit diamonds 🙂‍↕️ thank you my love

Expand full comment
da-eun's avatar

you single-handedly inspired me to finish up my sinners love essay/review! thank u for ur razor sharp insight and steadfast integrity as always!!

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

🥹 i am waiting to read that sinners piece with baited breath darling. thank you as ever love xx

Expand full comment
Jude Blay Yawson's avatar

I’ve missed reading your writing, doing the good work for my spirit now.

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

this means everything. welcome friend x

Expand full comment
extremely offline's avatar

i'd like to commend your spine and your bitchiness 👏🏼 brilliant as always

Expand full comment
ayan artan's avatar

thank you angel 😘

Expand full comment
Vera Buendía's avatar

woooo thanks for your piece! love your writing and got me thinking a lot! thank thank you gracias 🧚🏼

Expand full comment
Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Always with the bangers

Expand full comment
Jada Seaton's avatar

Thank you for having the courage to say the uncomfortable thing so that those of us like myself (marginalized writers still learning how to believe in our words and our selves) can one day do the same.

Expand full comment